Leisure equipment with wheeled vehicle

ABSTRACT

Leisure equipment is disclosed which permits an experience of fully controlled loop-the-loop rotary motion with a wheeled vehicle. The leisure equipment comprises a frame structure with a trough-shaped wheel track, an axis of rotation and at least one rotating arm with one wheeled vehicle each. The trough-shaped wheel track is curved so as to form a closed contour. The axis of rotation is contained within this contour. At least one rotating arm is rotatably supported on this axis of rotation. At the rotating arm a wheeled vehicle is fastened which is adapted to be guided in the wheel track. The wheeled vehicle is pressed into the wheel track by a pressing device acting on the rotating arm. In this way a contact of wheel track and wheeled vehicle exists in every point of the wheel track. With the wheeled vehicle of the leisure equipment, a rider can perform loop-the-loop rotary motions or revolutions during which he retains full command of the motion at all times.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns leisure equipment according to thepreamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Wheeled vehicles are known in the prior art in most diverseembodiments. They have in common that they permit almost exclusivelyrides on a horizontal or inclined ground. However, from WO 96/15019 andfrom EP 0 856 460 A1, two embodiments of wheeled vehicles or bicyclesare known which permit a ride in a vertical direction. Their propulsionmay occur by purely muscular activity or also with an engine. A rotarymotion is not possible with these embodiments.

[0003] From the prior art a variety of embodiments of pendulums are alsoknown. Probably the most well-known ones are a children's swing and aboat swing commonly erected in fairgrounds. In this case rotations ofthe pendulum are possible. Prior to overturning, pendular movementsusually are required. These pendular movements are characterized, on onehand by a continuous alternation between the kinetic and potentialenergy of the pendular system, and on the other hand by the change indirection of the movement. A change in direction occurs at the pointwhere all of the mechanical energy is concentrated in the form ofpotential energy, and thus no kinetic energy is left. Through anappropriate displacement of the center of gravity during the individualphases of the oscillation, both the amplitude of the oscillation and themechanical energy of the pendulum can be raised. A complete revolutionbut no change in direction will occur when the mechanical energy ishigher than the largest attainable potential energy (at the highestpoint of the trajectory of rotation). The motion has changed from anoscillation to a rotation.

[0004] It is the task of the present invention to specify leisureequipment for rotary motions with a wheeled vehicle where the wheeledvehicle can be closely held against the wheel track, which causes therotary motion to become more uniform and the rider is enabled to executeself-controlled rotary motions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This task is accomplished according to the invention by leisureequipment according to claim 1. The contact force presses the wheeledvehicle against the wheel track so as to secure sufficient contact ofthe wheeled vehicle in the wheel track. In this way a driving force canbe generated at all times which results in a reliable forward motion ofthe wheeled vehicle. In this way the user has full command of the rotarymotion at all times.

[0006] The preferred pressing device is a pneumatic spring, whichproduces the required contact force in the simplest and most elegantway. However, any other technical spring can also be used as analternative.

[0007] The preferred contour of the wheel track is a circle having theaxis of rotation in its center. For a displaced axis of rotation or foranother contour the distance between the axis of rotation and the wheeltrack is not the same everywhere. The spring excursion of the pressingdevice must then be at least as large as the difference between theminimum and maximum distance between the axis of rotation and the wheeltrack. A constant contact pressure is no longer guaranteed when thespring excursion is smaller, since the contact between the wheeledvehicle and the wheel track will be partly interrupted.

[0008] It is preferred that the wheeled vehicle be detachably fastenedat the rotating arm. The wheeled vehicle can then easily be exchangedwith another one. As an alternative, the wheeled vehicle can be solidlyattached to the rotating arm, but then an exchange of the wheeledvehicle is difficult or entirely impossible without demounting therotating arm.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, at leastone weight can be attached to the end of the rotating arm opposite tothe wheeled vehicle. The rotating arm can be brought into a state ofequilibrium with this additional weight. The condition for theequilibrium state follows from the law of lever action. The product ofweight and distance of the weight from the axis of rotation must be thesame at both ends of the rotating arm in order to attain thisequilibrium state. With the rotating arm in an equilibrium state, therider is only required to expend muscular activity for the rotarymotion. He need not expend work against the force of his own weight dueto gravitation. The exact position of the weight on the rotating arm canbe adjusted so as to account individually for the rider's weight. Thedegree of difficulty can also be adjusted by varying the position andsize of the weight.

[0010] It is preferred to use a bicycle as the wheeled vehicle. Themuscular activity that is needed is readily produced by the rider on abicycle with pedal drive, and many people master a bicycle.

[0011] In the pedal drive preferably applied in this invention, freewheel both forward and backward is envisaged when the pedal drive is atrest. In this point the pedal drive deviates from traditional pedaldrives for bicycles. Ordinarily a free wheel is envisaged in twosituations for bicycles. In the prior art, free wheel occurs, firstlywhen back-pedaling, and secondly when not pedaling while the bicycle ismoving in the forward direction. However, in backward motion the pedalsalso turn backward. In the pedal drive preferred in this invention, aforce-locking transmission of the rider's muscular activity to a motionis only envisaged in forward motion and forward actuation of the pedaldrive. Thus, when rolling backward there is no impairment for the riderby the pedal drive.

[0012] It is further preferred that the bicycle has a saddle adjustablein its height. In this way the bicycle can be adjusted individually tothe rider or body size of the rider. Also, the bicycle pedals aredetachably mounted on the crank mechanism of the pedal drive in order togive the rider a choice of pedal makes, for instance with straps or ofthe plug-in type.

[0013] It is preferred in this embodiment of the invention to provide anemergency brake or emergency brake system. This emergency brake isactuated from outside in this case. The brake system is located on theaxis of rotation and exerts its braking action on the rotating arm. Itis preferred in this embodiment to employ a drum brake. A preferredalternative in this invention is a disk brake.

[0014] Appropriate harness which can be secured at the rotating arm isprovided in a preferred embodiment. The harness serves to secure therider against dropping out and down during the ride. The harness systemcan be adjusted individually to the particular rider.

[0015] It is preferred that the leisure equipment contains a dataacquisition device. Measurable data are those concerning the revolutionsper minute, the velocity, the acceleration (G forces), the performanceand the pulse of the rider. The data can be acquired individually or incombination. Objectively measurable values can be communicated to theuser. The objectively measured data can also be used as a basis for asports competition organized with leisure equipment of this invention.

[0016] Additionally, a lining of the wheel track is preferred in thisembodiment. In this way the rolling friction resistance of the wheels inthe wheel track can be raised and a slipping of the wheels in the wheeltrack can be additionally impeded. The rolling friction resistancebecomes even larger when the lining in addition has a structure.

[0017] Preferably, it is possible to partly disassemble and collapse thecomplete leisure equipment for transport and for storage betweendifferent uses.

[0018] The preferred mode of erection of the leisure equipment is on amotor vehicle trailer. The leisure equipment is then detachably mountedon the trailer. Thus, the leisure equipment can be taken from thetrailer so that the latter is free for other uses or can be inspected ina motor vehicle examination.

[0019] Further advantages, features and possible applications of thepresent invention become apparent from the drawing and subsequentdetailed description of an embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a schematic lateral view of the leisure equipmentaccording to the invention.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the rotating arm according tothe invention.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a schematic lateral view of the rotating arm with abicycle fastened to it, according to the invention.

[0023]FIG. 4a is a schematic lateral view of a part of the framestructure.

[0024]FIG. 4b is a schematic front view of the part of FIG. 4a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025]FIG. 1 is a schematic lateral view of leisure equipment accordingto the invention. In the preferred embodiment the leisure equipment isdetachably mounted on a motor vehicle trailer 190. As a basic structure,the leisure equipment has a tubular steel frame consisting of mainstruts 130, vertical frame struts 140 and horizontal tame struts 150.The main struts 130 are fastened to the loading area of the motorvehicle trailer 190. The overall dimensions of the tubular steelstructure of the main struts 130 occupy almost all of the loading area,and the main struts 130 support the entire leisure equipment. At thefront and rear part of the main struts 130, vertical frame struts 140are fastened so as to rise perpendicularly upward, while at their upperend the horizontal frame struts 150 are fastened. Seen from the side,the main struts 130, the vertical frame struts 140 and the horizontalframe struts 150 yield the contours of a rectangle. A telescopic towerconsisting of a lower telescopic tower 410 and an upper telescopic tower420 and explained in more detail in FIGS. 4a/4 b is centrally mounted onthe main struts 130. The horizontal frame struts 150 are also connectedwith the upper zone of the lower telescopic tower 410. One wheel trackeach is located on either side of the telescopic tower. The lower wheeltrack 110 is sitting as a semicircle opening upward on the main struts130. The two free ends of the semicircle of the lower wheel track 110are fixed to the frame structure consisting of vertical and horizontalframe struts 140 and 150. The telescopic tower is maximally extended inFIG. 1, and the upper wheel track 120 is displaceably fastened at theupper zone of the upper telescopic tower 420. The upper wheel track 120forms a semicircle opening downward. The free ends of the upper wheeltrack 120 and the free ends of the lower wheel track 110 are connectedwith each other in such a way that together they form a full circle. Thetwo half wheel tracks 110 and 120 each consist of two steel tubes curvedin like manner, and between these two steel tubes there is a wheel trackmade of aluminum the edges of which are welded to the steel tubes. Forbetter static and rolling friction, the intermediate aluminum part islaminated with grip tape known from the coating of skateboard surfaces.At the upper wheel track 120, diagonal struts 180 are fastened in thecenter of both the front and rear quarter circle; their other ends arefastened to the upper part of the lower telescopic tower 410. Thediagonal struts 180 serve to raise the lateral stability of the upperwheel track 120. From the upper zone of the lower telescopic tower 410,safety struts 170 go beyond the dimensions of the motor vehicle trailerto all four corners of the basal surface on the ground. The four safetystruts 170 support the entire leisure equipment from all four directionsand carry the entire weight of the leisure equipment, so that the axlesof the motor vehicle trailer 190 are not loaded when the leisureequipment is used. Support struts 160 are mounted for greater stabilitybetween the safety struts 170 and the main struts 130. Two pivotal hubs460 are located in the upper zone of the lower telescopic lower 410 onthe sides facing the wheel tracks. The pivotal hubs 460 are at the sametime in the centers of the circles formed by the corresponding wheeltracks 110 and 120. The pivotal hubs 460 are commercial hubs for motorvehicle trailers. The rotating arms 200 are suspended rotatably at thesehubs in the axis of rotation 210. The bicycles 300 which are pressedagainst the track wheels 110 and 120 by integrated sprig elements 320and 330 are mounted on the rotating arms.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the rotating arm. The rotatingarm 200 consists of a tubular steel structure. Several tie struts 260 gofrom the suspension in the axis of rotation 210 to the main frame 250.The mid-vertical of the main frame 250 is located centrally above thebicycle and the user. In the upper zone of the main frame 250 a numberof connecting sockets 270 for the attachment of commercial weighteddisks (dumbbells, not shown) are located. The weighted disks serve ascounterweights. The lower end of the rotating arm 200 is formed by thetwo bow frames 220 a and 220 b. The bow frames 220 form a contouropening downward (see FIG. 3). The front ends of the bow frames 220terminate at the forward points of attachment 240 where the handlebar ofthe bicycle 300 is fastened. The two bow frames, the left one 220 a andthe right one 220 b, merge in the rearward zone of the bow frames 220and form the rearward point of attachment 230 which is connected withthe bicycle 300 in the reward zone of the bicycle frame. The spacedelimited above by the bow frames 220 a, b and below by the bicycle 300leaves sufficient room and clearance zone for the user (FIG. 3).

[0027]FIG. 3 is a schematic lateral view of the rotating arm with abicycle attached to it. Essentially, the same features can be seen hereas in FIG. 2. The bicycle 300 is shown in addition in FIG. 3. In thezone of the handlebar, the bicycle 300 is tied to the rotating arm 200in the points of attachment 240 a, 240 b. The rearward zone of the frameof bicycle 300 is tied to the rotating arm 200 at the point ofattachment 230. Pneumatic spring elements integrated into the bicycleare used as pressing devices. A pneumatic spring double-bridge fork 320is one spring element, a rear-shock suspension 330 is a further springelement in the rear part of the bicycle 300. The drive is a crank drive(310) operated via pedals. A modified three-speed hub derailleur is usedin order to realize free wheel during backward movement. Ordinarily thegear shift has three forward speeds and one free wheel. In a modifiedversion just one speed and the free wheel are left. At the wheels,magnets are mounted, their magnetic fields are recorded by Hall effectsensors at the frame of bicycle 300. This procedure allows the directionof movement to be recognized. During backward motion the Hall effectsensors switch the gear shift into free wheel via a servo device, Duringforward movement the single forward speed is reconnected.

[0028]FIGS. 4a and 4 b show the telescopic tower: FIG. 4a in a lateralview and FIG. 4b in a front view. For perspicuity, the two figures willbe described together. The telescopic tower consists of two halves, thelower telescopic tower 410 and the upper telescopic tower 420. The uppertelescopic tower 420 can be lowered into the lower telescopic tower 410and extended from it. The two parts of the tower represent a cuboidtubular steel structure having diagonal struts in each of the four sidesof the cuboids for greater stability and carrying capacity. At the lowerend of the upper telescopic tower 420, two guide pulleys 450 for a wirerope 440 are located. The wire rope 440 is solidly fastened with one endat the upper end of the lower telescopic tower 410. From there the wirerope 440 descends approximately perpendicularly to the first diverterpulley 450 at the upper telescopic tower 420, and from there, divertedat a right angle, to the second diverter pulley 450, also fixed at theupper telescopic tower 420. The wire rope 440 is once more diverted at aright angle and now rises approximately perpendicularly to the diverterpulley 452 fixed at the lower telescopic tower 410. At the diverterpulley 452, the wire rope 440 is diverted by about 180° and now descendsapproximately perpendicularly to the winch 430 in which the wire rope440 can be wound up. This constitutes a simple pulley-block hoist wherethe two diverter pulleys 450 are the “free” pulley and the diverterpulley 452 is the “standing” pulley of the pulley-block hoist. The uppertelescopic tower constitutes the load to be lifted by this pulley-blockhoist. By turning the crank of winch 430, the upper telescopic tower 420can be lifted from the lower tower and lowered back into it. It isenvisaged that the winch can be locked so that the tower will alsoremain stable when extended or lifted.

[0029] Suspensions 460 are located to both sides at the upper end of thelower telescopic tower 410 for one rotating arm 200 each. A commercialhub of a motor vehicle trailer is used as the suspension 460. A drumbrake (not shown) is integrated into the hubs in order to be able todecelerate the rotating arm 200 from outside.

[0030] The lower telescopic tower 410 is solidly attached to the mainstruts 130 which in turn are detachably fastened on the motor vehicletrailer 190. The upper telescopic tower 420 moves freely within thelower telescopic tower 410. It is supported via diverter pulleys 450 onthe wire rope 440 and is guided through the opening in the upper side ofthe lower telescopic tower 410 so that the upper telescopic tower 420cannot buckle laterally. A cross-bar 470 is solidly connected with theupper telescopic tower on its upper side. The upper half of the wheeltrack 120 (not shown) is movably attached via a trolley (also not shown)to this cross-bar.

[0031] For the leisure equipment to become usable, it must first beerected from its compact transport condition. At first the telescopictower must be extended, to this end the winch 430 is operated until theupper telescopic tower 420 is maximally lifted from the lower telescopictower 410. Then the two upper wheel track halves 120 are pushed outalong the cross-bar 470 by trolleys until they are positioned exactlyabove the lower wheel track halves 110. The wheel track halves 110, 120are detachably fixed at each other. The free ends of diagonal struts 180having their other ends solidly connected with the upper track wheels120 are also detachably fixed to the horizontal struts 150. The safetystruts 170 are extended and arrested in such a way that the weight ofthe leisure equipment is supported via the safety struts on the ground.The axle of the motor vehicle trailer 190 is loaded during operation inorder to prevent the trailer 190 from slipping away. Next, the rotatingarms 200 are connected with the suspensions. The bicycle with therelieved spring elements 320, 330 is now mounted on the rotating arm200. Once the bicycle 300 mounted, the spring elements 320, 330 areinflated. In this way the bicycle 300 is pressed into the wheel track110, 120. Counterweights (not shown) are slipped onto the sockets 260and secured. The saddle 340 of the bicycle 300 is adjusted individuallyto the user, who mounts the bicycle 300 at the lowest position. Finallya harness (not shown) can be fitted to the user before he is able to usethe leisure equipment according to the invention. During operation ofthe leisure equipment the rotating arm 200 can be decelerated byoperators outside the leisure equipment via a drum brake (not shown) inthe pivotal hub 460 when required for safety reasons.

What is claimed is:
 1. Leisure equipment having a frame structure,comprising: a trough-shaped wheel track (110, 120) curved so as to forma closed contour, an axis of rotation (210) supported within the contourof the wheel track, at least one rotating arm (200) supported rotatablyon the axis of rotation (210), and at least one wheeled vehicle (300)fastened at one end of the rotating arm (200) and adapted to be guidedin the wheel track, wherein a pressing device (320, 330) acting on thewheeled vehicle (300) is provided which presses the wheeled vehicle(300) into the wheel track (110, 120).
 2. Leisure equipment according toclaim 1 where the pressing device has a pneumatic spring (320, 330). 3.Leisure equipment according to claim 1 where the pressing device has ahelical spring.
 4. Leisure equipment according to claim 1 where thepressing device has a leaf spring.
 5. Leisure equipment according to oneof the preceding claims where the contour of the wheel track (110, 120)is circular and the axis of rotation (210) is situated in the center ofthe circle.
 6. Leisure equipment according to one of the precedingclaims where the wheeled vehicle (300) is detachably connected with therotating arm (200).
 7. Leisure equpiment according to one of thepreceding claims where the wheeled vehicle (300) is solidly connectedwith the rotating arm (200).
 8. Leisure equipment according to one ofthe preceding claims where at the free end of the rotating arm (200)opposite to the wheeled vehicle (300) at least one weight can befastened (at 270), and the position of the weight along the rotating arm(200) is adjustable.
 9. Leisure equipment according to one of thepreceding claims where the wheeled vehicle (300) has a bicycle. 10.Leisure equipment according to claim 9 where a free wheel is providedboth forward and backward when the pedals are not treaded.
 11. Leisureequipment according to claim 9 where the bicycle has a saddle (340)adjustable in its height.
 12. Leisure equipment according to one of thepreceding claims where the rotating arm (200) can be decelerated by abraking system operable from outside.
 13. Leisure equipment according toclaim 12 where a disk break is used as the braking system in the axis ofrotation (210).
 14. Leisure equipment according to claim 12 where a drumbrake is used as the braking system in the axis of rotation (210). 15.Leisure equipment according to one of the preceding claims whereappropriate harness to secure the rider is attached to the rotating arm(200).